About the Pain SIG
Welcome to the APTA Michigan Pain Special Interest Group (SIG)
The APTA Michigan Pain SIG is the nation’s first state chapter pain SIG. It was created to promote excellence in pain education, treatment, and research and to improve the knowledge base and skill of physical therapy professionals in Michigan in the treatment of persons in pain. And to change the common cultural understanding of pain to further the goal of decreasing the burden of persistent pain in our state.
SIG Leadership
Chair:
Cameron Faller, PT, DPT
Vice Chair:
Sarah Case, PT, DSc
Secretary:
Dustin Karlik
Communications Director:
Angela Vannostrand
Membership Director:
Daniel Ratkov, PT, DPT
Website Chair:
Vacant. Interested?
Student Liaison:
Emily Ahern
Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy Pain SIG
Quarterly Newsletters
Clinical Pearls
- July 2023- De-Diagnosing: Making People Less Ill Part I [Members Only – Login Required]
- May 2023- The Benefits of Breathing Techniques for Pain [Members Only – Login Required]
- April 2023- Foods That Fight Inflammation [Members Only – Login Required]
- February 2023- Should We Question The Wear and Tear Model in Medicine? [Members Only – Login Required]
- january 2023- January Clinical Pearl [Members Only – Login Required]
- December 2022- How does stress and anxiety play a role with persistent pain? [Members Only – Login Required]
- October 2022- Non Pharmacological Management of Persistent Pain in Elite Atheltes: An Article Review [Members Only – Login Required]
- September 2022- Utilization of Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Low Back Pain: A Review of the Literature [Members Only – Login Required]
- August 2022- Patient-Centered Care and Therapeutic Alliance [Members Only – Login Required]
- July 2022 – Sleep and Health [Members Only – Login Required]
- June 2022 – Chronic Pain in Adolescents [Members Only – Login Required]
- May 2022 – Excercise and Pain [Members Only – Login Required]
- April 2022 – Understanding Placebo and Nocebo Effects in Clinical Practice Link to Presentation on this Topic [Members Only – Login Required]
- March 2022 – Pain Neuroscience Education [Members Only – Login Required]
- February 2022 – Four Laws of Behavior Change: A Brief Review of the Book “Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Make Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” [Members Only – Login Required]
- January 2022 – Manual Therapy and Pain Science [Members Only – Login Required]
- April 2021 – Key Findings: 2021 CPG For LBP [Members Only – Login Required]
Educational Events
- APTA Michigan Spring Pain Summit: early March every year
- San Diego Pain Summit: Februarys in San Diego CA and San Diego Pain Summit East in October in Charlotte NC
- Neuro Orthopedic Institute: the creators of Explain Pain
- International Spine and Pain Institute
- Dynamic Principles: a Michigan based company bringing education to your clinic
- Aphora – Pain Education: a Michigan based company bringing education to your clinic
Resources for Patients
- Why Do I Hurt: Book Authored by Adriann Louw
- Understanding the Complexity of Pain: 8 Minute YouTube Illustration
- Pain self-management tools and support with Pete Moore
- Pain coaching, blog and resources with Amy Busch Eicher
- Education, blog, retreats with Joletta Belton
- Restoring Venus: A Journey from Chronic Pain to Possibilities – Amy Eicher
- The Pain Management Workbook: Powerful CBT and Mindfulness Skills to Take Control of Pain and Reclaim Your Life – Rachel Zoffness
Pain Resources for Clincians
- IASP Curriculum Outline on Pain for Physical Therapy
- APTA Whitepaper on the Treatment of Pain without Opioids and Prevention of Chronic Pain
Podcasts
- Pain Reframed
- Pain Science and Sensibility
- The Healing Pain Podcast with Joe Tatta
- The Modern Pain Podcast
- The Words Matter Podcast with Oliver Thompson
Books
- A Guide to Better Movement – Todd Hargrove
- Explain Pain – David Butler & Lorimer Mosely
- The Pain Management Workbook: Powerful CBT and Mindfulness Skills to Take Control of Pain and Reclaim Your Life – Rachel Zoffness
- Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers – David Sapolsky
Facebook Groups
Pain SIG News
FAQ
- What does an educational curriculum on pain for Physical Therapy look like?
- How do I become a member of the Pain SIG?
- Anyone who is interested in the field of pain or works with individuals in pain is welcome to join. There is no additional cost aside from your membership with the APTA, Michigan. If you are not an APTA, Michigan member but still want to receive relevant content, please consider joining our Facebook Group!
- Can I get involved more with the SIG?
- We are always looking for individuals interested in volunteering and becoming more involved. Please contact someone on the leadership team to discuss the options we currently have available.
- I am looking to refer my patient to someone specialized in pain, how do I find this information?
- Although there is no true standardized test or course that deems one a “pain expert” it’s important to know who is well versed with the updated evidence surrounding the field of pain. At this time, if you are interested in referring someone to an individual who specializes in pain, we recommend that you either network with the Pain SIG leadership team, or post your search on our Facebook Group.
- What exactly do I need to do to fulfil the pain requirement needed for license renewal?
- All licensed physical therapists and physical therapist assistants are required to obtain at least 1 PDR associated with pain management and treatment each renewal cycle. This topic is very vague and under the discretion of the individual offering the course and/or any auditor reviewing the courses. To help anyone who is looking to fulfill their 1 PDR of pain credit, we have posted several course offerings all directed at pain treatment and symptom management, and we plan on hosting courses ourselves throughout the year.
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